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Beneath the Secrets (Enigma, #6) by Shandi Boyes – Review by Shannon Fowler

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Beneath the Secrets (Enigma #5)Beneath the Secrets by Shandi Boyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Hugo’s story…oh my…which includes many flash backs to high school and his forever crush on Ava… We first met Hugo in the Enigma series but this can be read as a standalone.
Oh Shandi Boyes! What have you done to my heart!?! Beneath the Secrets? Oh no you just created more secrets! Oh and that ending?! I have said this before in my reviews, there are some books that just make you say WTF did I just read…so yeah, right now, Shandi Boyes what the actual…did I just read!?!
It wasn’t until after reading the Enigma series, that I learned that Hugo would have his own story told. Little did I know that Hugo’s story is huge! It starts when he was in high school, crushing on his little sister’s best friend, Ava. But being a player, he kept innocent Ava at arm’s length. Ava was raised by overly strict parents, with a father that bordered on mental abuse. Ava and Hugo’s friendship never falters over the years. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, at least for these two it does. However, lack of true communication, secrets and jealousy keeps them from getting a happily ever after, at least for now.
Shandi Boyes is a great writer! Every one of her stories have had me turning page after page, non-stop! The male characters are swoon-worthy while the females are determined and strong. We all want someone to love while being loved right back and Ava is no different.
“I want a man who has no qualms in showing his affection even with a house full of spectators. A man devoted solely and entirely to me. That is what I want and crave. That is what I deserve.”
I recommend this story and am patiently (sort of) waiting for the next part of Hugo and Ava’s story!

Review by @shannonlovesbooks
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Beneath the Secrets (Enigma #5) by Shandi Boyes – Review by Jenni Bishop

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Beneath the Secrets (Enigma #5)Beneath the Secrets by Shandi Boyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beneath the Secrets is the fifth book in the Enigma series and it could be read as a standalone if you have had a chance to read the others. I would however recommend that you read them all in order so that you get the background and the whole story.

Hugo is struggling to find a job after returning from a tour in Afghanistan where he is suffering from PTSD amongst other things. He has kept to himself and doesn’t want to talk about it nor deal with it. Hugo’s sister Jorgie is engaged to Hugo’s best friend and has always wanted to see Hugo happy and settled down. Hugo has always had a crush on one girl and that girl is now standing before him. For the first time in six years he sees Ava, not the girl he knew back then that always set his pulse racing but the woman before him has sure changed a lot in that time. With just one flash of her amazing smiles see Hugo trying to impress this new Ava.

Ava had always had a good relationship with Hugo and boy did she ever have a crush on him but that was six years ago, before she was torn away from the town and people she loved. Now they are both back in the same town and Ava thought she had put those feelings to rest. But just one look at Hugo and she knows she is in trouble. It seems Hugo has decided to set his sights on her and she is more than happy to let it happen. Just when it seems like everything is looking good for the two, they are torn apart when tragedy strikes.

Will Hugo’s mistake cost him everything? Will he finally wake up and see what is right in front of him? Will he walk away from the only good thing left in his life? Will Ava be able to forgive the mistakes? Will the two ever have a future together?

This story is bit of an emotional roller coaster ride. At times you will be laughing out loud and the next you will be sobbing. I am now off to read the next installment. Enjoy!!

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Beneath the Secrets (Enigma #5) by Shandi Boyes – Review by Jana Teppih

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Beneath the Secrets (Enigma #5)Beneath the Secrets by Shandi Boyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beneath the Secrets is the fifth book in Shandi Boyes’ Engima series and it is the first part of Hugo’s story (I am not really happy that the writer split his book, I would totally have been happy like a clam with a 600-700-page story, just saying!). You could read this story as a standalone and maybe it is smart to do so as then you are not haunted by what you have learnt about Hugo in the previous Engima books but on the other hand, you get much better understanding of some of the other characters if you have read the first books.
I knew that Hugo had his own story to tell and I thought I might have some sort of idea after having read all of the previous Enigma books but oh boy, was I setting the bar low! It was the case of that what people show you is very far from what is actually going on behind the ‘walls’, why do I keep getting surprised?!
Hugo’s story was a very emotional story to read, I have to say that his story is probably more gut wrenching than Isaac and Izzy’s story! (Sacrilege, I know!) Hugo is battling demons and at times they win, Ava has her own baggage that brings along its own challenges … nothing is straight forward here!
I cried and I laughed and mostly I cried … The story gets its claws into you and does not let go! I really do hope that the writer will not keep us waiting too long for the second part of the story! Do a favor and read it! You will not regret it!

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